Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome
Vol 45 (2000)
Article Abstract

The Guglie of Naples: Religious and Political Machinations of the Festival Macchine

Maria Ann Conelli

Guglie, large urban sculptural monuments, have long been recognized as permanent manifestations of the ephemeral wood and papier-mâché macchine that were displayed in the festival processions of Naples. Recognition of this fact, however, has often obscured the circumstances of each commission. This essay examines the Guglie of San Gennaro, San Domenico, and the Immaculate Conception within their specific historical contexts: rival religious orders, familial lineage, saintly prerogative, urban sites, and finances. The article focuses on how these issues pertain to the individual works, each designed for a particular purpose and to convey a decidedly different intent.